Insufflation pump

Abstract

An insufflation pump is provided for single handed actuation for inflation of dilatation balloons or other inflatable devices employed during medical procedures. The insufflation pump includes a pump body having a first end and a second end. The first end is provided with a syringe mechanism and the second end is provided with an actuation mechanism. The syringe mechanism and the actuation mechanism are linked by a pivoting mechanical linkage member facilitating the transfer of power from the actuation mechanism to the syringe mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes an actuator pivotally secured adjacent the second end of the pump body. The linkage member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of which is pivotally connected to the second end of the actuator, the second end of the linkage member is pivotally secured to the plunger of the syringe mechanism.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An insufflation pump allowing for single handed actuation for inflation of dilatation balloons or other inflatable devices employed during medical procedures, comprising:
 a pump body having a first end and a second end, the first end is provided with a syringe mechanism and the second end is provided with an actuation mechanism, the syringe mechanism and the actuation mechanism are linked by a pivoting mechanical linkage member facilitating the transfer of power from the actuation mechanism to the syringe mechanism; 
 the syringe mechanism includes a tube and plunger positioned within the tube for movement therein; 
 the actuation mechanism includes an actuator pivotally secured adjacent the second end of the pump body, the actuator is an elongated member having a first end and a second end; 
 the linkage member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of which is pivotally connected to the second end of the actuator, the second end of the linkage member is pivotally secured to the plunger of the syringe mechanism; 
 further including a click stop mechanism controlling movement of the actuator permitting a physician to stop forward and/or rearward motion of the plunger at any intermediate location between full forward and full rearward and have the plunger remain in that location until the physician changes it. 
 
     
     
       2. The insufflation pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the plunger includes a rearwardly directed heel that engages a bottom wall of the tube, stabilizing the plunger and preventing the plunger from becoming askew within the tube. 
     
     
       3. The insufflation pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube is integrally formed with the pump body and includes a distal, first end and a proximal, second end, the distal, first end is closed by the plunger while the proximal, second end includes an outlet port through which fluid is dispensed or withdrawn as the plunger moves between the distal, first end of the tube and the proximal, second end of the tube. 
     
     
       4. The insufflation pump according to  claim 3 , wherein the outlet port is shaped and dimensioned for selective attachment to a supply tube for the transfer of fluid to and from the tube. 
     
     
       5. The insufflation pump according to  claim 3 , wherein a seal member is positioned about a circumference of the plunger for engagement with an inner wall of the tube preventing fluid from escaping distally of the plunger as it moves within the tube. 
     
     
       6. The insufflation pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the seal member is seated within a recess formed at a forward end of the plunger. 
     
     
       7. The insufflation pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump body is provided with an access opening shaped and dimensioned for the passage of the mechanical linkage therethrough, the seal member of the plunger creates a barrier separating the access opening from the fluid and allowing the syringe mechanism to maintain a closed system while permitting the actuation mechanism to link with the plunger for causing movement thereof. 
     
     
       8. The insufflation pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes the first end including a first arm, the second end including a second arm, and a central section between the first end and the second end, the central section is pivotally secured to the pump body at the second end thereof. 
     
     
       9. The insufflation pump according to  claim 8 , wherein the actuator is formed with a substantially V-shape allowing it to pivot providing controlled movement of the plunger when either the first end of the actuator or the second end of the actuator is pushed toward the pump body. 
     
     
       10. The insufflation pump according to  claim 9 , wherein the central section of the actuator includes a transversely extending pivot arm which is pivotally secured to the pump body via a pivot pin extending between the pivot arm and the second end of the pump body, the second arm at the second end of the actuator includes a transversely extending pivot arm pivotally secured to the linkage member via a pivot pin extending therebetween. 
     
     
       11. The insufflation pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the pump body is provided with a recess shaped and dimensioned for receipt of the actuator as it moves between its retracted position and its compressed position. 
     
     
       12. The insufflation pump according to  claim 11 , wherein the actuator is shaped to match an outer profile of the pump body and the actuator is formed with a curved cross sectional profile matching the outer profile of the pump body. 
     
     
       13. The insufflation pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the click stop mechanism is composed of ridges formed along an exterior surface of a pivot arm of a central section of the actuator and a click stop beam that extends along the base of the pump body for interaction with the ridges in a manner creating a clicking sound as the actuator is moved. 
     
     
       14. The insufflation pump according to  claim 13 , wherein the click stop beam is resilient and is fixedly secured to the base of the pump body at a proximal end while a distal end is provided with a protrusion and permitted to move, as such, when the ridges move over the protrusion the click stop beam is bent downwardly allowing movement of a lever with the creation of a slight amount of resistance.